The Local Area

Our beautiful Sunshine Coast is famous for its healthy, laid-back outdoors lifestyle, its pristine surfing beaches, rich hinterland subtropical forests boasting rock pools and waterfalls, freshwater rivers and lakes, as well as the world-acclaimed Noosa Biosphere Reserve – the first in Queensland, established in 2007 to recognise the region’s highly diverse ecosystem.

The Sunshine Coast also has the second-largest number of towns whose names are derived from the Aboriginal language – Darwin in the Northern Territory tops this list.

Coolum Beach

The name “Coolum” is derived from the local Aboriginal word “gulum” or “kulum” meaning “blunt” or headless”, referring to the shape of Mount Coolum, which has no peak. According to Aboriginal legend, Ninderry was a man from a neigbouring clan who stole a beautiful young woman called Maroochy from Coolum – the man she was to marry.

When Coolum rescued his bride, Ninderry chased them. He caught up with them, and, throwing a boomerang, succeeded in knocking off Coolum’s head which rolled into the sea and is represented today by Mudjimba Island. His body is represented by Mount Coolum. For his treacherous attack, Ninderry was turned into stone by the wrathful gods. Maroochy fled inland, where she wept so much that her tears flowed down the mountain to form the Maroochy River.

Coolum boasts a big variety of cruisey cafes, restaurants and clubs; beautiful boardwalks, parks and picnic areas; pretty bush walking paths as well as world-class surfing beaches and bays. In September, the whales pass through very close to the shoreline on their annual migration, while all through the year dolphins play in the surf and turtles bob around the bays and rocks.

How to get here

The Sunshine Coast is one-hour’s drive north from Queensland’s capital, Brisbane City which is serviced by domestic and international airports. Regular train and bus services run between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast has its own airport (Maroochy Airport) just 10 minutes ’drive from Coolum. The airport offers daily flights to and from Sydney and Melbourne and seasonal flights to and from New Zealand. Accommodation:

The festival is currently working with local accommodation providers to secure Festival Packages for festival-goers. Package details will be posted on this website and on our Facebook page as soon as possible. Home-stay packages are also being explored. Festival Venues:

The Festival will be held at Coolum Beach in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Festival events will take place in Coolum Civic Centre, Coolum Surf Club, Jack Morgan Park (two marquees) and Tickle Park with five venues of entertainment.

KC's Fireworks - Gold Sponsor. Established in 1989 in Yandina on the Sunshine Coast, KC’s Fireworks Displays are one of the biggest fireworks companies in Australia boasting awards such as: Best Business (Entertainment) Sunshine Coast Tourism Awards and 3rd place in the Asian World Pyrotechnic Championships in Macau in 2000